Great Pyrenees
A polar bear on the night shift.
- Weight
- 85–115+ lbs
- Height
- 25–32 in
- Lifespan
- 10–12 yrs
In short
The Great Pyrenees is a Working breed from the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain, bred to guard sheep from wolves and bears, weighing 85–115+ lbs and living 10–12 years. It is calm but independent, barks at night and roams, so a secure fence is essential.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a calm, gentle guardian for family or farm
- have a large, securely fenced yard
- live in a cool climate
Think twice if you…
- have close neighbors who mind barking at night
- want reliable off-leash recall
- can't handle heavy shedding
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Training
- 2–3 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 175–220 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study8.5/10
EnergyModerate4.0/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors8.0/10
SheddingHeavy shedder8.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Double rear dewclaws
The standard requires double dewclaws on the hind legs, which need trimming.
-
02
Weatherproof white coat
A thick double coat built for mountain winters; it sheds heavily and doesn't suit hot climates.
-
03
Night-watch bark
Guardians patrol and bark after dark, so plan for neighbors and keep them inside at night.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 100–115+ lbs | 85–100 lbs |
| Height | 27–32 in | 25–29 in |
| Lifespan | 10–12 yrs | |
| Coat | Long, flat, weather-resistant outer coat over a dense, woolly undercoat | |
Personality
Pyrs are gentle and patient at home, often lying still for hours while watching everything. When they sense a threat, they decide for themselves what to do about it.
With kids
Gentle and protective with their own children. Their size can bowl over toddlers, so supervise.
With other pets
Excellent with livestock and pets they are raised with; may challenge unfamiliar dogs on their turf.
With strangers
Wary and protective with strangers, especially at home. Socialize well so they accept guests.
Alone time
Fairly independent and okay alone for moderate periods with a secure yard, but boredom leads to barking and digging.
Training
Great Pyrenees were bred to make decisions without a shepherd, so they understand cues but weigh whether to follow them. Patience, short sessions and rewards beat repetition.
-
How often
2–3 sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each, ending while the dog still wants more.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Between 8–16 weeks, meet many friendly strangers and visiting dogs, and keep it going until age 2. For a guardian, accepting guests at home is the priority.
-
Self-control
Calm behavior with visitors and walking on a loose leash matter most. Practice greeting guests with a leash and mat routine, and teach loose-leash walking before they outweigh you.
-
What it works for
Food and praise work, but expect a cost-benefit analysis. Use small, high-value pieces within 10% of daily calories and keep sessions short so motivation stays high.
Exercise
Pyrs need steady walking and patrolling rather than running. Daily walks plus time to survey a secure yard suit them best.
Exercise a day
60–90 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Long, slow walks
- Patrolling a securely fenced yard
- Hiking in cool weather
Brain work
- Livestock guarding (on farms)
- Scent games and treat searches
- Basic obedience and manners
Best home
Needs a house with a tall, secure fence; thrives in cold climates, struggles in heat.
Watch for Avoid forced running and jumping before growth plates close (about 18–24 months), and never trust off-leash recall.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Great Pyrenees (85–115+ lbs) lands around 1,725–2,175 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 2,175–2,725 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 220–275 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 11–14 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 1,725–2,175 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 175–220 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 9–11 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 2,375–3,000 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 240–300 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 12–15 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 1,525–1,900 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 155–190 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 8–10 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 2,175–2,725 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 220–275 kcal | 11–14 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 1,725–2,175 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 175–220 kcal | 9–11 pieces |
| Active / Working | 2,375–3,000 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 240–300 kcal | 12–15 pieces |
| Senior | 1,525–1,900 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 155–190 kcal | 8–10 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, bloat and bone cancer are the main themes. Keep puppies lean and growing slowly, and choose a breeder who health-tests.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Elbow dysplasia | OFA elbow evaluation | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Patellar luxation | OFA patella exam | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (bleeding disorder) | Glanzmann's thrombasthenia DNA test | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Great Pyrenees breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Hip evaluation
- Kneecap (patella) check
- One elective test from the breed club list
Grooming Heavy, with a major spring coat blow
Brush weekly with a slicker and undercoat rake, daily during the spring coat blow. Never shave the coat. Trim nails and both rear dewclaws every 2–3 weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week.
History
Ancient–1600s
Mountain flock guardian
Large white guardian dogs protected sheep from predators in the Pyrenees for centuries.
1600s
Royal dog of France
The breed became fashionable at the court of Louis XIV and was named the Royal Dog of France.
1930s
Arrival in America
Breeding programs in the US began in the early 1930s, and the AKC recognized the breed in 1933.
Questions owners ask
Are Great Pyrenees easy to train?
Not really. They are intelligent but independent and were bred to think for themselves. Expect slow, patient progress, and don't count on off-leash recall.
Are Great Pyrenees good with kids and other pets?
Usually, yes, with their own family. They are gentle and protective with children and pets they know, but large and wary of unfamiliar dogs. Supervise toddlers and introduce new animals slowly.
How much exercise does a Great Pyrenees need?
About 60–90 minutes a day, mostly walking and patrolling. They don't need running, but they do need time outside in a secure space.
Do Great Pyrenees shed?
Yes, a lot, especially in spring. Brush weekly and daily during heavy sheds, and never shave the coat.
What health problems do Great Pyrenees have, and how long do they live?
They typically live 10–12 years. Hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, bloat and bone cancer are the main concerns, so ask for hip, elbow and patella results on both parents.
Is a Great Pyrenees good for apartments or first-time owners?
Usually not. They need space, a secure fence and tolerance for night barking, and their independence challenges first-time owners.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Great Pyrenees needs only 9–11 pieces a day, well inside the 175–220 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Great Pyrenees ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Great Pyrenees
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
